O Level Geography Practice Paper 5

Answer Key - TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI) Version 5

Section A: Physical Geography & Skills

Question 1: Map, Graph & Data Skills (a) Suggestion: A grouped bar chart or a multiple line graph.

• Justification: A multiple line graph allows for the comparison of trends across the three stations (A, B, C) over time on a single set of axes. [3 marks] (b) Trend Description: (Student must cite data). Example: "Temperature at Station A increased steadily from 26.5°C in 2010 to 27.8°C in 2020, with a slight dip in 2014." [3 marks] (c) Calculation: Assign numerical values to the Likert scale (e.g., Very Good = +2, Good = +1, Poor = -1, Very Poor = -2). Multiply the frequency of each response by its weight and sum them to get the net score. [2 marks] (d) Evaluation: Not reliable. [1] Sample size of 10 is too small to be representative of a large neighbourhood population [1]. Individual biases or outliers will disproportionately skew the results [1]. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized [1]. [4 marks] (e) Improvement: Increase the sample size (e.g., to 100) or use stratified sampling to ensure different age groups/demographics are represented. [2 marks] (f) Instrument: Aneroid Barometer. [1 mark] (g) Identification: Convergent Boundary [1]. Evidence: Presence of a deep ocean trench (Peru-Chile Trench) [2] and a chain of volcanic mountains/Andes mountains [2]. [5 marks]

Question 2: Tectonics (a) Diagram: Must show oceanic plate subducting under continental plate, label trench, subduction zone, and magma chamber [2]. Explanation: Denser oceanic plate sinks $\rightarrow$ friction/heat melts crust $\rightarrow$ magma rises $\rightarrow$ volcanic arc forms [3]. [5 marks] (b) Comparison:

• Building codes: Developing countries often lack strict seismic codes, leading to structural collapse [2].
• Governance: Poor emergency response and lack of disaster planning in developing nations [2].
• Poverty: Limited funds for rapid reconstruction and medical aid [2]. [6 marks] (c) Monitoring: Seismometers (detecting tremors) or Tiltmeters (measuring ground deformation). [4 marks]

Question 3: Climate (a) Mechanism: Short-wave radiation enters $\rightarrow$ Earth absorbs and re-emits as long-wave radiation [2]. Methane ($\text{CH}_4$) traps this long-wave radiation [2]. Heat is re-radiated back to surface, increasing temperature [1]. [5 marks] (b) Distinction: Sea walls are adaptation (adjusting to the impact of sea-level rise to protect land) [2]. Solar energy is mitigation (addressing the cause by reducing $\text{CO}_2$ emissions) [2]. [4 marks] (c) Evaluation:

• Agree: Climate change causes droughts/floods $\rightarrow$ crop failure $\rightarrow$ food shortage (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa) [3].
• Disagree/Qualify: Other factors like population growth, war/conflict, and poverty also drive shortage [2].
• Conclusion: Interconnected causes; climate change is a catalyst but not the sole cause [1]. [6 marks]

Section B: Human Geography & Singapore

Question 4: Tourism (a) Multiplier Effect: Direct spending (tourists pay resort) $\rightarrow$ Indirect spending (resort buys local organic produce) $\rightarrow$ Induced spending (resort staff spend wages at local shops) [4 marks]. (b) Evaluation:

• Effectiveness: Prevents overcrowding, protects fragile ecosystems, maintains cultural authenticity [3].
• Limitations: May reduce total economic gain; high-cost entry may exclude some visitors [2].
• Judgment: Effective for long-term sustainability over short-term profit [1]. [6 marks] (c) Pull Factors: Natural beauty (beaches), cultural heritage, safety, infrastructure, low cost of living. (Any two) [5 marks]

Question 5: Singapore (a) Underground Caverns: Singapore has limited surface land [1]. Underground space can be used for storage, utilities, or water reservoirs [2]. This frees up surface land for housing/industry [2]. [5 marks] (b) Evaluation:

• Agree: Diversification (Local catchment, NEWater, Desalination, Imported water) reduces reliance on any one source (e.g., Malaysia) [4].
• Disagree/Qualify: Desalination is energy-intensive; high cost of maintenance [3].
• Conclusion: Most effective because it ensures water security regardless of geopolitical or climatic shifts [2]. [9 marks] (c) Impact: Loss of marine biodiversity/coral reefs due to sedimentation and habitat destruction. [6 marks]

Question 6: Thinking Geographically (a) Sense of Place: Garden provides a space for social interaction [1]. Shared activity of gardening creates community bonds [1]. Visual and olfactory memories (smell of soil/flowers) evoke emotional attachment [2]. [4 marks] (b) Trade-offs: Environmental goal (e.g., mangrove preservation) protects biodiversity and prevents flooding [2]. Economic goal (e.g., port expansion) creates jobs and GDP [2]. Trade-off: Choosing one often compromises the other; sustainable development seeks a balance via "green" infrastructure [2]. [6 marks] (c) Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. [5 marks]